"Search these commandments,
for they are true and faithful,
and the prophecies and promises which are in them shall all be fulfilled."-Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants, Section 1:37 --dated November 1, 1831

The Mormon Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, has its
origins in the visions of Joseph Smith... "a religious teacher sensitive to the
spiritual currents flowing in the early 19th century." Beginning in 1820, Joseph
Smith claimed to have experienced a series of heavenly visions in which he was
informed that all existing churches were in error, that the true Gospel had been
lost and that he had been given the task of preparing people to recognize the immanent coming of the "Son of Man"... the return of Christ.

Joseph Smith's visions and prophecies are recorded in a book titled "The
Doctrine and Covenants." This book contains prophecies which foretell the coming of two
Messianic figures who were to appear in rapid succession--- one right after
the other. The first of these two Messianic figures is called the "one mighty
and strong" and is considered to be a forerunner like John the Baptist. The second of the two Messianic figures is called the "Son of Man".

For the sake of brevity in this presentation I would like to focus on only two of Joseph Smith's
prophecies from "The Doctrine and Covenants". The first is found
in Section 85, the second is from Section 130.

"And it shall come to pass
that I, the Lord God, will send one mighty
and strong, holding the scepter of power in
his hand, clothed with light for a covering, whose mouth shall utter words,
eternal words; while his bowels shall be a fountain of truth,
to set in order the house of God...While that man, who was called of God and appointed, that putteth forth his hand to steady the ark of God, shall fall by the shaft of death, like as a tree that is smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning."-D&C,
section 85:7-8

The second prophecy is from Section 130 of the
Doctrine and Covenants. Here Joseph Smith prophesied:

"When the Savior shall appear we shall see him as he is. We shall see that he is a man like ourselves... And a white stone is given to each of those who come into the celestial kingdom, thereon is a new name written, which no man knoweth
save he that receiveth it. The new name is the key word. I prophesy, in
the name of the Lord God, that the commencement
of the difficulties which will cause much bloodshed previous to the coming
of the Son of Man will be in South Carolina. It may probably arise through
the slave question. This a voice declared
to me, while I was praying earnestly on the subject, December 25th, 1832.
I was once praying very earnestly to know the time of the coming of the
Son of Man when I heard a voice repeat the following: Joseph,
my son, if thou livest until thou art eighty-five years old, thou shalt
see the face of the Son of Man; therefore
let this suffice, and trouble me no more on this matter... The Father has
a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's; the Son also; but the Holy
Ghost has not a body of flesh and bones, but is a personage of Spirit..."-D&C 130

Let's take a look at these prophecies point by point:

SUMMARY OF PROMISES:

Section 85 contains two significant prophecies:

1- THE DEATH OF JOSEPH SMITH

The "man, who was called of God and appointed,
that putteth forth his hand to steady the ark of God" was Joseph
Smith. As prophesied in this passage, Joseph Smith
actually did "fall by the shaft of death" "as a tree that
is smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning..."

Joseph Smith
was shot and killed on June 27, 1844.

2- FORERUNNER TO APPEAR IN 1844

The second half of this prophecy infers that when
Joseph Smith is shot, the "one mighty and strong" will appear.
Once again, Joseph Smith was shot in 1844. The prophecies of Joseph Smith foretell the coming of an Elijah figure.... a forerunner
like John the Baptist. In other words, this prophecy predicts that a forerunner
will appear in the year 1844.

Section 130 contains several significant prophecies:

1- THE CIVIL WAR

"I prophesy, in the name of the Lord God,
that the commencement of the difficulties which will cause much bloodshed previous to the coming of the Son of Manwill be in South Carolina. It may probably arise through the slave question."
On December 25th, 1832, Joseph Smith first prophesied that the American
civil war, which was fought over the "slave question", will begin
in "South Carolina."
The civil war began in South Carolina in the year 1860. The "slave
question" was crystallized in 1863 when President Abraham Lincoln
signed the 'Emancipation Proclamation' freeing the slaves. Notice that
Joseph Smith foretold these events over thirty years before they happened.
And this is not even the most important part of this prophecy. Joseph Smith
was just setting the stage for what could be one of the most significant
events in human history.
Joseph Smith predicted that
the "coming of the Son of Man" would become a reality shortly
after the beginning of the civil war.

1A-THE SAVIOR WILL BE "A MAN LIKE OURSELVES"

"When the Savior shall appear we shall see him as he is. We shall see that he is a man like ourselves..."
The Savior... the Son of Man will have "a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's". This prophecy
is self evident. The Son of Man will appear in exactly the same way that
all of the other Prophets or "Manifestations of God" have appeared throughout history. He will not appear as some unidentifiable, intangible spirit.

1B- RED ROBE PROPHECY

Only three sections later Joseph Smith also prophesies: "And the Lord, even the Savior, shall stand in the midst of his people, and shall reign over all flesh... And it shall be said: Who is this that cometh down from God in heaven with dyed garments... And the Lord will be red in his apparel, and his garments like him that treadeth in the wine-vat. And so great shall be the glory of his presence that the sun shall hide his face in shame..." -D&C 133

"We shall see that he is a man like ourselves"... the "Son of Man" will have "a body of flesh and bones as tangible as man's..." The Son of Man will appear in exactly the same way that all of the other Prophets or "Manifestations of God" have appeared throughout history. He will not appear as some unidentifiable, intangible spirit... "the Savior, shall stand in the midst of his people". These passages even identify the color of his clothes when he appears: "the Lord will be red in his apparel". They even give us a clue as to what his "new name" might be: "so great shall be the glory of his presence..."

1B- THE COMING OF THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM... THE NEW NAME PROPHECY

Those who choose to come "into the celestial kingdom" will be given a "white stone" "thereon is a new name
written". Evidently, not everyone will choose to come into the
"celestial kingdom." Either that, or perhaps what this passage is saying is that not everyone will recognize the coming of the Son of Man with a "new name" and thereby, because of their lack of understanding, will deprive themselves of the opportunity to enter the Son of Man's "celestial kingdom". Those who do enter the "celestial kingdom"... shall be given a "new name."

Joseph Smith's "new name" prophecy is reminiscent of similar statements
made in Isaiah and in the Book of Revelation. In the second chapter of
the Book of Revelation, Jesus repeats the "white stone with a new
name prophecy." Jesus promised:

"He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat
of the hidden manna, and will give him awhite
stone, and in the stone anew
name written, which no man knoweth saving
he that receiveth it."-Revelation 2:17

And in the next chapter Jesus again promises:

"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar
in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out; and I will write
upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which
is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will
write upon him my new name." -Revelation
3:12

Towards the end of his book Isaiah repeats this promise:

"thou shalt be called by anew namewhich the mouth of the Lord shall name."-Isaiah 62

And then Isaiah warned:

"ye shall leave your name for a curse unto
my chosen: for the Lord God shall slay thee and call his servants by another
name."-Isaiah 65

Those who choose to come into the "celestial kingdom" shall be given a "new name."

2- Joseph Smith wrote that he: "was once praying very earnestly
to know the time of the coming of the Son of Man when I heard a voice repeat
the following:

" Joseph, my son, if thou livest until thou art eighty-five years old, thou shalt see the
face of the Son of Man..."

Joseph Smith was born in Sharon, Vermont, on December 23, 1805. He would
have been 85 years old in 1890. If he had not been killed, Joseph Smith would have met the Son of Man in the year 1890. Could it be that the "Son of Man" was actually already alive on the planet at the very time that Joseph Smith was giving these prophecies? Consider these statements from Joseph Smith:

"behold, verily, verily, I say unto you that mine eyes are upon you. I am in your midst and ye cannot see me; But the day soon cometh that ye shall see me, and know that I am; for the veil of darkness shall soon be rent... Wherefore, gird up your loins and be prepared..." -D&C 38

"I am in your midst... And the day cometh that you shall hear my voice and see me, and know that I am. Watch, therefore, that ye may be ready." -D&C 50:44

"For verily I say unto you that I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the light and the life of the world--a light that shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not. I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not... And when the times of the Gentiles is come in, as light shall break forth among them that sit in darkness, and it shall be the fullness of my gospel; But they receive it not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men." -D&C 45

According to Joseph Smith's prophecies, the forerunner... "the one
mighty and strong" should have appeared in 1844. The "Son of Man"... "the Savior" should have appeared shortly after the beginning of the civil war (1860).

Joseph Smith advises his followers to be awake and searching. He warns that the coming of the "Son of Man" would be like "a light that shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not". He hints that the Savior is: "in your midst and ye cannot see me"... "they receive [Him] not; for they perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from me because of the precepts of men."

And then, even more explicitly, Joseph Smith is promised that if lives until the year 1890 he will meet the "Son of Man".

FULFILLMENT:

1- Joseph Smith's "one mighty and strong"
prophecy was remarkably accurate. The Elijah figure DID arise in the east
in the same year that Joseph Smith was shot. In 1844 the "ONE
MIGHTY AND STRONG" arose in the east. He assumed
the title of the Bab... a name which when translated into English means
the "GATE". The Bab stated that he was
the forerunner of the great "Son of Man"... whom, he said, was
soon to appear.

The Bab wrote:

"I am one of the sustaining Pillars of the Primal Word of God. Whosoever hath recognized Me... hath attained all that is good and seemly..."
"Well is it with him who fixeth his gaze upon the Order of Baha'u'llah (the Son of Man), and rendereth
thanks unto his Lord. For he will assuredly be made manifest. God hath indeed irrevocably ordained it..."- the Bab- Tablet to the Shah, GPB p.25

In my opinion,
Joseph Smith foretold the
coming of the Bab... the Forerunner of the Baha'i Faith with amazing accuracy.
He also foretold the time of the coming of Baha'u'llah, the Baha'i Founder, with equal
precision.

Joseph Smith promised: "I prophesy, in the name of
the Lord God, that the commencement of the difficulties which will cause
much bloodshedprevious to the coming of the
Son of Manwill be in South Carolina. It may
probably arise through the slave question."
The American Civil War began in South Carolina in 1860 but it was not until
1863 that Abraham Lincoln signed the 'Emancipation Proclamation' freeing
the slaves and crystallizing the "slave question". It was also
in 1863 that The "Son of Man" actually did appear.

It was on April 21, 1863 that Baha'u'llah, the Prophet founder of the
Baha'i Faith, first publicly announced to the world that he was the Promised
One whose coming had been foretold in the prophecies of the world's great
religions. Thus Baha'u'llah announced His mission to the world at the exact time foretold by Joseph Smith.

Baha'u'llah wrote:

"The time fore-ordained unto the people and kindreds of the earth is now come. The promises of God as
recorded in the holy Scriptures, have all been fulfilled..."
"The Revelation which, from time immemorial hath been acclaimed as
the Purpose and Promise of all the prophets of God, and the most cherished
Desire of His Messengers, hath now, by virtue of the pervasive Will of
the Almighty and at His irresistible bidding, been revealed unto men. The
advent of such a Revelation hath been heralded in all the sacred Scriptures.
Behold how, notwithstanding such an announcement, mankind hath strayed
from its path and shut out itself from its glory..." -Baha'u'llah, Baha'i World Faith, p.9

Baha'u'llah's forerunner appeared at the exact time foretold by Joseph Smith. Baha'u'llah himself also appeared at the exact time foretold by Joseph Smith. Baha'u'llah did come bearing a "new name". The name Baha'u'llah when translated into English is the Glory of God. Baha'u'llah did appear wearing a red robe. Baha'u'llah did bring the "celestial kingdom" as foretold by Joseph Smith. Yet, most of the world remained heedless of his appearance.

Joseph Smith warned that recognition of the coming of the Son of Man might not be as easy as many people thought. He said that the Savior is: "in your midst and ye cannot see [him]". Baha'u'llah, the Promised One... the Savior, the Son of Man appeared at the exact time foretold by Joseph Smith. Joseph Smith advised his followers to be awake and searching. He said that the coming of the "Son of Man" would be like "a light that shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehendeth it not". Baha'u'llah commented upon the people's tragic lack of comprehension. He wrote: "notwithstanding such an announcement, mankind hath strayed from its path and shut out itself from its glory..." Tragically, today, more than 130 years later, Joseph Smith's followers still "perceive not the light, and they turn their hearts from [Him] because of the precepts of men."

The other half of the prophecy from Section 130 of the Doctrine and Covenants promised that Joseph
Smith would "see the face of the Son of Man" if he lived to be 85 years old. In a remarkable passage, Baha'u'llah seems to answer this promise. He wrote:

"Verily I say, this is the day in which mankind can behold the Face and hear the Voice of the Promised One. The call of God hath been raised,
and the light of His countenance hath been lifted up upon men. It behooveth
every man to blot out the trace of every idle word from the tablet of his
heart, and to gaze, with an open and unbiased mind, on the signs of His
Revelation, the proofs of His Mission, and the tokens of His Glory."--- Baha'u'llah

Joseph Smith was promised that he would "see the face of the Son of Man" if he lived to be 85 years old. Joseph Smith would have been 85 years old in the year 1890. It was in the year 1890 that the first people from from Europe and America journeyed all the way to Israel to meet Baha'u'llah. Of these western pilgrims only the distinguished orientalist Professor Edward G. Browne of the University of Cambridge, England actually met him. Dr Browne "visited Baha'u'llah at Bahji in the year 1890, and recorded his impressions as follows: --

"The face of him on whom I gazed I can never forget, though I cannot
describe it. Those piercing eyes seemed to read one's very soul; power
and authority sat on that ample brow; while the deep lines on the forehead
and face implied an age which the jet-black hair and beard flowing down
in indistinguishable luxuriance almost to the waist seemed to belie.
No need to ask in whose presence I stood, as I bowed myself before one
who is the object of a devotion and love which kings might envy and emperors
sigh for in vain!
A mild dignified voice bade me be seated, and then continued: -- "Praise
be to God that thou has attained!... Thou has come to see a prisoner and
an exile. ... We desire but the good of the world and happiness of the
nations; yet they deem us a stirrer up of strife and sedition worthy of
bondage and banishment. ... That all nations should become one in faith
and all men as brothers; that the bonds of affection should cease, and
differences of race be annulled -- what harm is there in this? ... Yet
so it shall be; these fruitless strifes, these ruinous wars shall pass
away, and the `Most Great Peace' shall come. ... Do not you in Europe need
this also? Is not this that which Christ foretold? ... Yet do we see your
kings and rulers lavishing their treasures more freely on means for the
destruction of the human race than on that which would conduce to the happiness
of mankind. ... These strifes and this bloodshed and discord must cease,
and all men be as one kindred and one family. ... Let not a man glory in
this, that he loves his country; let him rather glory in this, that he
loves his kind. ..."

-Baha'u'llah and the New Era,
J. Esselmont, p.39-40

If Joseph Smith had lived to be 85 years old, would he have been on that steamship that travelled to Israel in 1890? Would he have been alongside Professor Browne as he met Baha'u'llah? Would Joseph Smith have seen "the face of the Son of Man" when he was 85 years old? Unfortunately, we will never know for certain.

The question that has been raised in this presentation is... "are the Bab and Baha'u'llah truly the ones whose coming were foretold in the Mormon prophecies?" As illustrated many places elsewhere in this homepage, the Bab and Baha'u'llah literally do fulfill dozens of prophecies from the scriptures of each of the world's great religions. Baha'u'llah's teachings have already inspired the birth and development of a unified global community of believers.
What do you suppose are the chances that so many explicit prophecies from the diverse religions of the world could foretell the exact same things, in almost the exact same words as the Mormon prophecies and yet still be just a coincidence? How probable do you think it is that the Bab and Baha'u'llah could literally fulfill each and every one of these prophecies... and yet still be false? It is not very likely.

The prophecies of Joseph Smith foretold the coming of both the "Son of Man" and of His "celestial kingdom." Is Baha'u'llah truly the "Son of Man" whose appearance was foretold by Joseph Smith? Is the name Baha'u'llah... the "new name" foretold by Joseph Smith? Is Baha'u'llah's kingdom truly the "celestial kingdom" foretold by Joseph Smith? These are questions of extreme importance.

Those who seek the truth in this matter may want to consider the following statements from Baha'u'llah:

"We, of a certainty, have had no purpose in this earthly realm save to
make God manifest and to reveal His sovereignty; sufficient unto Me is
God for a witness. We, of a certainty, have had no intent in the celestial
Kingdom but to exalt His Cause and glorify His praise; sufficient unto
Me is God for a protector. We, of a certainty, have had no desire in the
Dominion on high except to extol God and what hath been sent down by Him..."

-Baha'u'llah: The Kitab-i-Aqdas, page 82

Great is the Cause, and great the Announcement! Patiently and calmly
ponder thou upon the resplendent signs and the sublime words, and all that
hath been revealed in these days, that haply thou mayest fathom the mysteries
that are hid in the Books, and mayest strive to guide His servants. Hearken
with thine inner ear unto the Voice of Jeremiah, Who saith: "Oh, for
great is that Day, and it hath no equal." Wert thou to observe with
the eye of fairness, thou wouldst perceive the greatness of the Day. Incline
thine ear unto the Voice of this All-Knowing Counselor, and suffer not
thyself to be deprived of the mercy that hath surpassed all created things,
visible and invisible..."

NOTE: For Latter Day Saints who would like to hear more of this story you may want to read the book "So Great A Cause!" by
Kenneth Stephens, a former Mormon and Institute Director. This book is currently out of print but your local librarian should be able to find you a copy through interlibrary loan.

NOTE: Some of the Baha'i Faith's statements on Joseph Smith include:
--- "Joseph Smith we do not consider a Prophet, minor or otherwise. Certainly no
references he made would have foretold the coming of the Revelation in his
capacity as a Prophet." (Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 484)

---
"Regarding your question concerning Joseph Smith and the 'Book of Mormon'; as
the Bahá'í Teachings quite clearly outline the succession of Prophets from the
days of Christ as being Muhammad, the Báb, and finally Bahá'u'lláh, it is
obvious that Joseph Smith is not a Manifestation of God.

"The Bahá'ís
should deal with the members of all religious sects, however, with the greatest
tolerance and friendliness, and try to point out to them the significance of the
Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh to the world in this great Day. The Guardian would
advise you to teach the Mormons like everyone else, the Faith, when you find
them receptive. They have many good principles, and their teachings regarding
chastity, not drinking or smoking, etc., are quite similar to ours, and should
form a point of common interest."

(From a letter written on behalf of the
Guardian to an individual believer, August 18, 1942: Bahá'í News, No. 416,
November 1965) (Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 510)

--- "As for the status of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon Faith, he is
not considered by Bahá'ís to be a prophet, minor or otherwise. But of course he
was a religious teacher sensitive to the spiritual currents flowing in the early
19th century directly from the appearance of the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh and the
Revelation of Their Messages of hope and Divine Guidance..."

(From a
letter written on behalf of the Universal House of Justice to an individual
believer, February 7, 1977) (Compilations, Lights of Guidance, p. 511)

--- "The Mormons are a people with high principles and ideals, and the step
spiritually into the Cause is not as difficult for them as for many others not
possessing their faith and devotion. However, the very zeal with which they
serve their own Faith makes it difficult for them to grasp the greater vision of
our Holy Cause."

(From a letter written on behalf of the Guardian to an
individual believer: cited in a letter written on behalf of the Universal House
of Justice to an individual believer, February 16, 1976) (Compilations,
Lights of Guidance, p. 511)

Joel Smith is a member of the Baha'i Faith living in the United States. The opinions expressed
in this article constitute his own personal understanding and do not necessarily
represent the official position of the Baha'i Faith or its teachings.